This bright green Grinch Cocktail tastes like pineapple and citrus had a baby on a tropical beach, then decided to crash a Christmas party. I first made this one Christmas Eve when my sister Sarah showed up with a bottle of blue curaçao and a mischievous grin, insisting we needed something "Grinch-level green" for our holiday movie marathon. The color alone makes you smile before you even take a sip, and it comes together in about five minutes with just a cocktail shaker and a handful of ingredients.
If you're looking for more festive drinks to serve, try this Easy Gingerbread White Russian Recipe - Holiday Cocktail or keep things fruity with The Best Whipped Pink Lemonade Recipe for a non-alcoholic option.
Why You'll Love This Grinch Cocktail
It's ridiculously easy. You don't need fancy bar tools or hard-to-find ingredients. Just a shaker, some ice, and five minutes.
The flavor is better than you'd think. This isn't one of those themed drinks that looks cute but tastes like regret. The vodka Grinch Cocktail has real balance between sweet, tart, and tropical.
It's vegan-friendly. No cream, no eggs, no dairy. Just fruit juice, spirits, and a little syrup.
Kids can enjoy a mocktail version. Skip the alcohol and you've got a fun green drink that still feels festive.
It makes people smile. There's something about serving a drink this green that just sets the mood for a good time. Whether you're throwing a Christmas party cocktail hour or just want something fun to sip while wrapping presents, this Grinch Cocktail -inspired cocktail delivers. If you're into cozy holiday sips, you might also love this Delicious Black Manhattan Recipe for a more classic vibe.
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Grinch Cocktail Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this festive holiday drink.
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities
Vodka: Forms the base of the cocktail and keeps the flavor clean so the tropical notes can shine. Use a mid-range vodka for the best results.
Blue curaçao: A bright blue orange-flavored liqueur made from Laraha oranges. It adds a subtle citrus note and helps create that signature green color when mixed with the other ingredients.
Pineapple juice (no sugar added): Brings sweetness and tropical flavor without being overly syrupy. Make sure to use unsweetened juice so you can control the sweetness level.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Balances the sweetness with a bright, tart punch. Fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference compared to bottled.
Simple syrup: Adds just enough sweetness to round out the flavors. You can make your own or use store-bought.
Green food coloring (natural or regular): Gives the drink its iconic Grinch-green color. Natural food coloring works well if you prefer plant-based dyes, but regular food coloring is fine too.
How To Make Grinch Cocktail
This Grinch Cocktail drink recipe comes together in minutes.
Combine ingredients: Add the vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and green food coloring to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.
Shake: Shake well for about 10 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold and the drink is thoroughly mixed.
Prepare glass: Fill a cocktail glass with fresh ice to keep your drink cold from the first sip to the last.
Strain and serve: Strain the drink into the prepared glass, letting the bright green liquid flow over the ice. Top with a maraschino cherry for that pop of red against the green.
Substitutions and Swaps
No blue curaçao? Swap in Cointreau or another orange liqueur. The color will change slightly, but the flavor will still work. You might need to add an extra drop or two of food coloring to get that Grinch Cocktail shade.
Want it less sweet? Cut the simple syrup in half or skip it entirely if your pineapple juice is naturally sweet.
Prefer a different spirit? White rum works beautifully in place of vodka and adds a little more tropical character. Gin can also work if you like a more botanical note.
Out of fresh lemon juice? Lime juice is a solid substitute and gives the drink a slightly different but still delicious citrus kick.
Looking for a non-alcoholic version? Leave out the vodka and blue curaçao, add a splash of orange juice and a tiny bit of almond extract, then adjust the sweetness to taste. You'll still get a fun green holiday drink that kids can enjoy.
Equipment For Grinch Cocktail
Cocktail shaker: Essential for mixing everything together and getting that perfect chill. A mason jar with a tight lid works in a pinch.
Strainer: Keeps ice and pulp out of your finished drink. Most cocktail shakers come with a built-in strainer.
Cocktail glass: Any glass works, but a rocks glass or highball glass shows off the color nicely.
Ice: Both for shaking and for serving. Fresh ice makes a difference in how cold and refreshing the drink stays.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This easy Christmas Grinch Cocktail is best served fresh, but you can prep a few things ahead if you're hosting. Mix the vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup together in a pitcher and store it in the fridge for up to 4 hours. Add the food coloring just before serving so the color stays vibrant. When guests arrive, pour the mixture into a shaker with ice, shake, and strain into glasses.
Leftover cocktail can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but the flavor and color may fade slightly. Give it a good stir before serving again, and add fresh ice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Grinch Cocktail drink recipe in a glass with a sprinkle-coated rim for extra holiday cheer. Fine sprinkles stick best when you dip the rim in simple syrup or run a lime wedge around the edge first. The combination of green drink and colorful sprinkles makes it feel like a party.
Pair it with salty snacks like pretzels, popcorn, or cheese and crackers to balance the sweetness. It also goes great with spicy appetizers since the tropical flavor cools things down.
Pour it over crushed ice for a more slushy texture, or blend it with ice for a frozen version that's perfect for warmer holiday climates.
Serve alongside a dessert bar with Christmas cookies and fudge. The tartness of the cocktail cuts through rich, sweet treats beautifully.and up well to freezing for X days/weeks/months.
Top Tip
Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice just doesn't have the same brightness. Squeeze it right before you shake the drink for the best flavor.
Don't skip the shake. Ten seconds of vigorous shaking chills the drink properly and blends all the flavors together. You'll know it's ready when the shaker feels cold to the touch.
Start with fewer drops of food coloring. You can always add more, but you can't take it out. Three drops usually give you a nice bright green without going overboard.
Chill your glass ahead of time. Pop your cocktail glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving. It keeps the drink colder longer and feels extra fancy.
Adjust the sweetness to taste. Some pineapple juices are sweeter than others, so taste your mixture before adding all the simple syrup. You want balance, not a sugar bomb.
The Night Sarah Turned My Kitchen Into Whoville
Last December, my sister Sarah decided we needed to host an impromptu holiday cocktail hour. She arrived at my door with bags of ingredients, a glittery Santa hat, and zero plan. "We're making Grinch Cocktail," she announced, dumping everything onto my counter. I raised an eyebrow. "You mean the green Christmas cocktail everyone posts about?" She grinned. "Exactly. And we're adding sprinkles."
We got to work shaking up the first batch, and Sarah got a little too enthusiastic with the food coloring. The drink came out looking more like radioactive sludge than festive cheer. "It's supposed to be Grinch Cocktail, not Hulk green," I said, trying not to laugh. She took a sip anyway and her eyes went wide. "Okay, but it tastes amazing." She wasn't wrong. The pineapple and citrus balanced perfectly, and the blue curaçao gave it this subtle orange note that made it feel grown-up. We dialed back the food coloring on the next round and spent the rest of the evening perfecting the sprinkle rim technique while "How the Grinch Cocktail Stole Christmas" played in the background.
By the time our friends showed up, we had a whole tray of neon green cocktails waiting, each one topped with a bright red maraschino cherry. My friend Mia took one look and said, "This is either genius or a terrible idea." One sip later, she was asking for the recipe.
FAQ
What is the Grinch cocktail?
The Grinch cocktail is a bright green holiday drink made with vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and green food coloring. It's named after the Dr. Seuss character and has become a popular festive holiday drink during the Christmas season. The tropical flavor and eye-catching color make it a fun choice for holiday parties.
How do you make a Grinch Midori cocktail?
For a Midori version, replace the vodka with Midori melon liqueur and skip the blue curaçao. Mix 1 ½ ounces Midori with 4 ounces pineapple juice, ½ ounce lemon juice, and ½ ounce simple syrup. Shake with ice, strain, and serve. The Midori gives it a sweeter, melon-forward flavor while keeping that bright green color.
What are the ingredients for Grinch Punch?
Grinch Punch is a larger-batch version meant for serving a crowd. Combine 2 cups vodka, 1 cup blue curaçao, 4 cups pineapple juice, 1 cup lemon juice, ½ cup simple syrup, and green food coloring in a large punch bowl. Add ice and stir well. You can also top it with lemon-lime soda for some fizz. Adjust the sweetness based on how many people you're serving.
How do you make a simple Grinch Cocktail shot?
For a shot version, combine ¾ ounce vodka, ¼ ounce blue curaçao, 1 ounce pineapple juice, and 2 drops green food coloring in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a shot glass, and serve. It packs all the flavor of the full cocktail into a smaller, more concentrated form.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Grinch Cocktail
Grinch Mocktail
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker Used to thoroughly mix and chill the drink; a mason jar with a secure lid can be substituted
- 1 Strainer Prevents ice and pulp from entering the finished drink; often built into shaker lids
- 1 Cocktail Glass A rocks or highball glass highlights the vibrant green color
- 1 Ice Needed both for shaking and for serving to keep the mocktail crisp and cold
Ingredients
- 4.5 ounces vodka smooth, neutral-flavored vodka works best
- 1.7 ounces blue curaçao orange-flavored liqueur for color and citrus notes
- 12 ounces pineapple juice unsweetened to balance the sweetness
- 1.7 ounces fresh lemon juice freshly squeezed for brightness
- 1.7 ounces simple syrup adjust sweetness to taste
- 8–10 drops green food coloring natural or traditional for vibrant color
Instructions
- Place vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and food coloring into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.
- Seal and shake vigorously until the shaker feels well chilled, about 10 seconds.
- Fill three cocktail glasses with fresh ice and strain the mixture evenly into each glass.
- Top each drink with a maraschino cherry or festive garnish if desired.
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